Help with RV antifreeze - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Jscott285 · RV-Dreams Community Member

Help with RV antifreeze

LarryW21 · RV-Dreams Family Member

To me draining the tanks and blowing out the lines is the safest route.

Jscott285 · RV-Dreams Community Member

That does make sense. It seems like it would be best to do that when storing during the winter. Thanks for the info!

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

Jscott285 wrote:
What would you say would be the best antifreeze to use? I am new to RVing and do not want to deal with any burst pipes. We have had our RV sitting outside in the cold and so far so good, but I want higher levels of protection to be sure. I have been researching and found this site that offered some reviews, but I am just not sure which one to purchase. I would love some advice from seasoned veterans.
https://campingmoz.com/best-rv-antifreeze/

Thanks so much, guys!

Wal-Mart has RV antifreeze. It is propylene glycol, color is pink, get the cheapest you can find.

arcaguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

What Dave said. All RV antifreeze is pretty much the same, the boaters call it "red pop" around here but it's pink, non-toxic and propylene glycol. I don't know if it comes in different strengths but this stuff says it's good to -50 so I think you're covered as you're in North Carolina.

www.ruralking.com/rv-plus-water-line-antifreeze

At a buck a gallon the price is right, but shipping might be high. Anyway that's the kind of stuff that you need any brand will work.

-- Edited by arcaguy on Sunday 3rd of March 2019 09:19:26 PM

Jscott285 · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks so much for the advice!

Second Chance · RV-Dreams Family Member

LarryW21 wrote:
To me draining the tanks and blowing out the lines is the safest route.

X2 on this approach. If you use antifreeze in the fresh water lines, it can be difficult to impossible to get the taste out later. I drain the water heater and low-point drains, and then use an air compressor to blow out all of the water lines (kitchen and bathroom sinks, shower, toilet, and outside shower) hot and cold one at a time. Takes the two of us about ten minutes and we never have to worry about antifreeze later. I do put a little antifreeze down the sink and shower drains to protect the P-traps.

Rob

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

IMO, all the RV anti-freeze products are fine as long as they specifically say "potable." I.e. non-toxic.

Now, to the subject of "just blow out the lines:" If anyone wants to take a chance that blowing out the lines is all you need to do that's a choice. I know the drill "never had a problem" - until you do.

Water can get trapped in the lines at low place from any water that doesn't quite get blown out. There's a lot more then you think. It will drain to those low places. If the water freezes and a line or valve cracks you can have one very difficult situation. Especially to find it behind a wall. Many times what happens is just a little crack or line slit. Nothing really big. But under water pressure comes just a little drip. Over time - think dry rot and other bad things - like mildew. I'm just cutting to the chase.

IMO, unless the temps NEVER go below 32 degrees or one keeps heat on in the rig and knows for sure all the lines are heated, give yourself a relatively inexpensive insurance policy and put anti-freeze in the lines, traps and a bit in the tanks. You won't regret it.

Bill

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

If one uses air to blow out the lines (my preferred method when I used to do that), be sure and close each faucet valve and allow water to gather to a low spot (maybe a minute) and then open that same faucet again. I do that for each and every faucet "side" on every faucet until about all I get is air and "maybe" a sputter. Also, if your RV is newer and has the PEX lines for the plumbing, those lines are less likely to break if there does happen to be water there. However, that is not the same case with the plumbing fittings.

While full-timing and in temperatures at zero or below, we have hot water line that freezes up, and that is the one from the water manifold to the kitchen sink. Each time (about three times now), when it thaws, there are no problems. The only problem we have had with our PEX lines is fittings "blowing off." One was the fitting on the supply line for the toilet and the other was at the shower faucet. We've been full-timing since around April of 2011, so that is just about 8 years.

Terry

Danny and Cheryl · RV-Dreams Family Member

For what it is worth I blow th lines out with air then pump RV Antifreeze thru the complete system, I don't want to take a chance of another busted pipe fitting. I had one that froze after being blown out by air. it was the outside shower which at the time I did not know I had. better to be safe than sorry IMHO

Jscott285 · RV-Dreams Community Member

I agree with a lot that has been said. Dealing with a busted pipe can be a nightmare and I appreciate all of the helpful insight and advice!

Natalie21 · RV-Dreams Community Member

We used RV antifreeze from Camco in our sump well to keep the line from freezing in extreme temps. I especially like that this is in concentrate form, so it's lightweight at only 36 oz/jug. I just pour it straight into the sump well and it dilutes itself. It's non-toxic, even in large quantities, and so is entirely safe indoors and out. In addition, it can protect the piping system even if the temperature drops to -50 degrees Fahrenheit.